Evaluation of On-Farm Seed Priming Techniques for Direct-Seeded Rice in Salt-Affected Soils
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55627/pbulletin.004.02.892Keywords:
seed priming; direct seeded rice; CaSO4; salt stress, soil conditionsAbstract
The study was conducted to assess how soil moisture levels (dry vs. moist) combined with various seed-priming methods influence the growth and yield of direct-seeded rice grown in salt-affected soils. The experiment was carried out in a moderately saline field with pHs 8.68, ECe 4.30 dS m⁻¹ and SAR 34.40 (mmol L⁻¹)¹ᐟ², using a split-plot design with three replications. NIAB-IRRI-9 served as the test variety. The treatments consisted of two soil conditions—dry and moist (at field capacity)—and seven seed-priming methods: untreated dry seed; soaking in canal water for 24 hours; soaking in tube-well water for 24 hours; soaking in 2% CaSO₄ for 24 hours; soaking in 2% K₂SO₄ for 24 hours; sprouted seed; and chitted seed. Among all treatments, CaSO₄ priming gave the most favorable results, enhancing plant height, tiller production, 1000-grain weight, and overall paddy yield. The benefits of priming were particularly noticeable under dry soil conditions.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Khalil Ahmed, Ghulam Shabir, Muhammad Shakar, Muhammad Faisal Nawaz, Muhammad Rizwan, Muhammad Sarfraz, Ghulam Qadir, Muhammad Irfan, Khalil Ahmed, Muhammad Qaisar Nawaz, Syed Saqlain Hussain, Amar Iqbal Saqib
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